One of the Premier League's most exciting talents, Bukayo Saka has been with Arsenal since he was seven years old and the Gunners forward has been reflecting on his story
Bukayo Saka has looked back on his footballing journey as Arsenal gear up for the North London Derby. The Gunners will be desperate to stretch their advantage at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.
The 24-year-old winger has been embedded within the Arsenal setup since arriving at the club's prestigious Hale End academy aged just seven. Since those early days, Saka has blossomed into one of Mikel Arteta's most vital players and regularly dons the captain's armband on the pitch.
The Ealing-born maestro made his Arsenal debut roughly 12 months before Arteta's appointment. Now, having operated under the Gunners' gaffer for nearly six seasons, Saka has transformed into one of England's top players.
Throughout his professional career, Saka has remained loyal to just one club – Arsenal. Despite achieving remarkable success in the Premier League and across European competitions, the club's No. 7 remains grounded about his humble beginnings.
Chatting to BBC Sport's Kelly Somers, Saka said: "Playing in my back garden with my brother and my dad. It was 2 v 1, actually. It was me against them, and they're both older than me.
"I would never lose. I would not accept it. I would cry, I would do anything, and that started young."
When asked about his earliest memories, without hesitation, Saka said: "Greenford Celtic. I remember everything, from the kit to the games. The kit was green stripes with white stripes – it had like a Celtic logo.
"We used to play in a local park, after the game – boots muddied completely and you'd have to slap them against the trees. Proper football.
"I remember everything. It was a really important chapter of my life and I enjoyed it."
Saka was questioned about the moment he realised he could pursue a professional career in football. He said: "You can be humble and also believe that you're good as well.
"I think there's nothing wrong with both and they can both be together. And I think I had that from young, but I just never thought about it.
"I was just enjoying the game and I was good at it. So it made it even more fun."
Selecting the right club represents one of the most crucial decisions any aspiring young footballer can make. It's a decision that has the power to define an entire career.
However, for Saka, the choice would always be Arsenal. He continued: "I remember my dad telling me I got scouted because it was different... You got a scout card – scouts would have come to watch you at a local team... and they gave my dad a card and said: 'Call me, we'll set up a trial.'
"So I remember first coming into Hale End – my first trial. I didn't even feel an ounce of fear. I was just like, 'I'm just going to play football, just enjoy it,' and I played so good.
"I think I trialled at the B team. I played so good they put me in the A team, and from there signed and I've been at Arsenal ever since.
"Yeah [it was always Arsenal]. Well at that point of my career, the decisions were more made by your parents. You're just a kid, you don't really, do you know what I'm saying? My dad made it clear to me 'Arsenal is the club I want you at', and I said: 'OK, let's go.'"
This Sunday, Saka will aim to achieve what every budding Arsenal academy star fantasises about – defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby.